After spending 2022 focused on mid-range products like Ray and with the launch of its own voice service, Sonos has shifted its focus back to high-end hardware. Next to the upcoming, late sub mini, the company is developing an all-new high-end amplifier codenamed Optimo 2.
On the edge We’ve seen early images in action of the Optimo 2, and it’s a huge design improvement over existing Sonos products, such as the Sonos One, Five, Arc, Beam, and Roam. Covered in a funky, dual-angle hood, the new device will be positioned as the best speaker Sonos has ever made. It includes an arsenal of many drivers, including those who shoot in different directions from under the casing between the front speaker grille and the rear panel. The 3D Entertainment above is in bronze, but the Optimo 2 sticks to Sonos’ traditional black and white color options. The front of the device is shown in our image with a vertical rectangle indicating where the Sonos logo is.
In terms of size, it’s something like the Sonos Five/Play:5. According to people familiar with the product, the Optimo 2 has twice the RAM and eight times more flash memory than the previous Sonos speaker. It’s a clearly designed powerhouse with long software support.
If current plans continue, the Optimo 2 will become the spokeswoman for the Swiss Army Knife of Sonos. All of the company’s products will support and play music over Wi-Fi as Bluetooth audio. Until now, Bluetooth playback has been limited to mobile devices such as Move and ROM. Interestingly, the company is considering running a USB-C line for the device. It becomes the only modern Sonos amplifier other than the Five to offer line capabilities. (The Sonos Five has the traditional 3.5mm aux input.) With built-in microphones, the Optimo 2 has automatic volume tuning to optimize its performance in various settings. These microphones will also support Sonos voice control. As always, some of these features may be omitted and not in the final shipping product.
With a host of drivers (including shoot-up), the Optimo 2 is a display interface for Dolby Atmos audio. But this is only part of the puzzle. On the edge The Optimo 2 is said to be the flagship of the three devices in the works, which also include the Optimo 1 and Optimo 1 SL. “SL” indicates that the latter will not have built-in microphones. All three products are intertwined with the upcoming major update of the Sonos software platform, which will unlock new functionality.
The specific differences between the three Optimo devices have yet to be discerned, with the exception of the microphones. In theory, the Optimo 2 could be a successor to the Sonos Five, which hasn’t seen a meaningful redesign in years. The Sonos Optimo 1 and 1 SL will be left to fill the role of small smart speakers or satellite speakers in surround sound systems. Home theater has become an important part of the company’s business.
Earlier this month, Sonos reported its third-quarter earnings, blaming inflation and the value of the dollar for the profit loss. The company also revealed that it has postponed the planned launch of a new product – almost certainly a Sub Mini – to the first fiscal year of 2023, which falls between October and December of this calendar year.
“Reducing consumer demand across our product categories has had a significant impact on Roma,” CEO Patrick Spence said on the investor’s quarterly call, also noting that the $279.99 Sonos Ray speakers “were significantly deviant from our expectations for this year” due to weak demand itself.
But Spence maintained an optimistic outlook. “At this point, we focus on what we can control. We are investing heavily in innovation and new products that we believe will help us emerge from these macroeconomic interventions in a stronger position. Optimo 2, Optimo 1 and Optimo 1 SL are part of this innovation and sustainability, and the product will be central to the pipeline.
In fiscal year 2022, Sonos released the second-generation beam, the Roma SL (more new Roma colours), the Sonos Ray, and the Sonos voice control. Its acquisitions include Mayht Holding BV, a company that Sonos says has “invented a revolutionary new approach to acoustic transducers,” allowing them to be smaller and lighter without compromising quality.
On the edge Sonos has been reached for comment.